Dec 14-20, 2009

1. SINGING IN THE GLC LOBBY
Tuesday, Dec 15, 11:00am, GLC Lobby   
Brave and not necessarily talented but nonetheless enthusiastic Graduate School staff members will sing a selection of holiday songs to spread some cheer. Feel free to join, whether you have anything to celebrate or not. Believing in Santa and/or Christmas is not a prerequisite. We are willing to learn new songs if you bring your favorite and teach us. There may be some hot cider and cookies too, who knows.

2. GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Friday, Dec 18, 3:00pm, Cassell Coliseum
Join fellow graduate students, faculty and family members to applaud our graduating class of master’s and doctoral students.

3. ORDER YOUR GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT DVD NOW
The University Bookstore will be selling Graduate School Commencement DVDs. Order your copy online now. Please contact the University Bookstore if you have any questions or problems with ordering.

4. GLC AND GRADUATE SCHOOL HOURS DURING BREAK
The Graduate School’s offices will be closed from Thursday, December 24, 2009 through Sunday,  January 3, 2010 for the winter break. Normal business hours will resume at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4, 2010. The GLC will close to the general public at 6:00pm on Friday, Dec 18 and remain closed until Jan 14, 2010. The public areas of the Graduate Life C enter, including the computer lab, will remain accessible to current graduate students with a valid Hokie Passport (use card readers at the Bookstore side or the Otey Street entrances). Review the GLC schedule .

5. GLC WAGE POSITIONS FOR SPRING 2010
Applications are accepted for Spring 2010 for GLC wage positions. To apply, search for the following position names and posting numbers:

  • UUSA Graduate Information Associate, posting # 090688
  • UUSA Graduate Services Associate, posting # 090689

 For more information about the GLC Graduate Services or Information Associates positions, please visit the UUSA/GLC Employment Page.  On-line applications will be accepted through December 16. No late or paper applications will be accepted. For more information, please contact Jodie Kern-Bowen, Coordinator of Graduate Life Center Operations.

6. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS IN RESIDENCE LIFE, 2010-11
The Office of Residence Life is seeking graduate assistants for next academic year.  Anticipated openings include Graduate Hall Directors, Oak Lane House Advisor, a First Year Programs Assistant, an Imaginarium Manager Assistant, a Theme Housing Assistant, and a Student Leadership Advisor. Read the descriptions of these positions and attend an information session regarding the positions and the selection process on Wednesday, Dec 9 at 6:30pm in GLC Room C. Interviews will be held from Feb 27 through Mar 2, 2010. Applications are currently being accepted via the website.  Priority will be given to application received by Mar 1, 2010.

7. VIRTUAL FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS FAIR
Fellowship and scholarship information is grouped by disciplines as represented by each college, and organized by the title headings: sponsoring organization, name of award, type of award, eligibility, amount, and application deadline. There is also an “All” link to a complete listing of all fellowships regardless of discipline. Review this listing of fellowships, scholarships and awards available to graduate students from organizations located all over the United States. Fellowships are available for U.S. citizen students and international students, and range from $500 to over $30,000.

8. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE JOURNAL

Public Knowledge Journal has released its spring 2010 call for submissions for refereed articles. The theme for the spring is Public Information in a Democracy. The deadline for refereed articles is February 12, 2010. For more detailed information visit the journal website, or Kim Carlson, editor of PKJ .

9. CALL FOR PAPERS FOR STUDENT CONFERENCE
The JMU Gandhi Center invites graduate students from around the world to submit papers for its Third Biennial Nonviolence Student Conference, taking place in Harrisonburg, VA, Apr 15–16, 2010. The theme of the conference is “International (Dis)order and Violence in the Twenty-first Century.”  Papers are invited in
every discipline in the humanities and social sciences. The conference is especially interested in areas of research that have cross-disciplinary relevance or new implications for this emerging field of scholarly interest. Deadline for submission of proposals: Jan 15, 2010. Proposals must include:
(i) Paper Title,
(ii) Author name and contact information (mailing address, email, phone, and fax), and (iii) a 300-word abstract.
Proposals should be sent electronically to Christopher Gray. Notification will be sent out about accepted proposals by Jan 29. The final full text papers must be submitted by March 12. For general inquiries, visit the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence James Madison University, or send an email

10. GRADUATE CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY-3rd posting
Graduate students in GRAD 5984 Topics on Diversity and Inclusion in a Global Society are reassessing a survey once administered in March of 1998.  This survey assesses diversity and inclusion on a broad base within Virginia Tech.  Please help them by filling out this IRB approved 20-minute survey on graduate cultural climate.  Questions? Please contact Lindsay Moss or Michelle McLeese.

11. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR XCALIBER AWARD
The XCaliber award recognizes faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and teams (faculty/ staff/ students) who have made significant contributions to integrating technology in teaching and learning in a course or in a significant technology-enriched project.   All graduate students and faculty are eligible for the award. If you know of someone who has done outstanding technology-enriched teaching and learning in 2009, or a group of individuals who have contributed to a significant technology-enriched project, please complete the online nomination form by January 26, 2010. Self-nominations are also welcome.

12. CITIZEN SCHOLAR AWARD
Have you spent at least 16 hours this semester using your research to benefit the community?  If so, why not submit an application for the VT Citizen Scholar Award?  For more information visit the CSE website  or contact Eric Hodges .

13. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS 2010
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during our annual awards banquet on March 25, 2010:
– Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (2) in social sciences and humanities
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
– Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college
Review additional information on the specifics and requirements for each award. Nomination/Application deadline is February 5, 2010.

Dec 7-13, 2009

0. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
– Writing support: Mondays (4-6pm) and Wednesdays (4-7pm), Student Lounge
– Walk-in counseling: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 1:00-5:00pm, Videoconference Room
– Career services walk-in advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, GLC Study Room
These services are offered when school is in session. They will not be available after the last day of classes. Services will resume in the spring semester.

1. YOGA
Tuesday, Dec 8, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room F
Nancy Mignone developed this series of relaxation techniques to specifically address physical and mental stress relief from exams and studying. Participants will practice several techniques for relief of tension, including self-massage, breathing, progressive relaxation, yoga postures, and meditation. You can choose your favorite 10-minute technique from this hour to use as the semester ends (and beyond!) $5-10 suggested donation to attend. A handout summary of the techniques explored is available for a $10 minimum donation. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing which allows you to move and breathe with ease. Bring a pillow, blanket, and yoga mat. If you do not have a mat, please check out one at the Information Desk in the lobby.  Sponsored by Circle Toward Wholeness. Contact Sandy with questions.

2. BEAD PARTY
Tuesday, Dec 8, 6:00-9:00pm, Room C in the GLC
Support International Women in Need (IWiN) on by doing your holiday shopping & purchasing beautiful beads made by Ugandan women out of colorful recycled paper.  The beads thus become income, food, medicine, school fees and hope.  BeadforLife eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. For more information contact Ashley Tomisek.

3. INTRODUCTION TO LATEX SOFTWARE
Wednesday, Dec 9, 5:00-6:30pm, GLC Room F
LaTeX is a family of programs designed to produce publication-quality typeset documents, particularly ones including mathematical symbols and formulas. The software can be extremely useful in the preparation of your ETD or other publications if you are in engineering or a science field. Learn the basics from a fellow graduate student who has recently defended his dissertation and completed his ETD using LaTeX. Please complete this short survey if you are interested in attending.

4. EXAM BREAK ‘PICK ME UP’

Wednesday, Dec 9, 5:00-8:00pm, GLC Lobby
Need a study break? You know you do….. The GLC Fellows provide a relaxed ambiance for a study break. Come and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate / hot cider with other fellow graduate students. Questions? Contact GLC Resident Fellow Josey Chacko at jchacko@vt.edu.

5. READING DAY
Thursday, Dec 10, 0:01am-12:00pm, various locations
Read whatever you want or need to read, at the location of your choice.

6. HBCU CONNECT LUNCH
Thursday, Dec 10, 11:30am-1:00pm, GLC Room B
The Graduate School Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives is hosting a lunch for HBCU graduates.  Have lunch, meet and greet fellow HBCU grads and faculty and visit with the Graduate School deans.  This is also an opportunity to share ideas and discuss issues relating to the African American community at Virginia Tech.  If you have any questions, please contact Jane Rorrer by e-mail, or phone at 231-2494. Please RSVP by December 8, 2009.

7. GRADUATE CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY-2nd posting
Graduate students in GRAD 5984 Topics on Diversity and Inclusion in a Global Society are reassessing a survey once administered in March of 1998.  This survey assesses diversity and inclusion on a broad base within Virginia Tech.  Please help them by filling out this IRB approved 20-minute survey on graduate cultural climate.  Questions? Please contact Lindsay Moss or Michelle McLeese.

8. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR XCALIBER AWARD
The XCaliber award recognizes faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and teams (faculty/ staff/ students) who have made significant contributions to integrating technology in teaching and learning in a course or in a significant technology-enriched project.   All graduate students and faculty are eligible for the award. If you know of someone who has done outstanding technology-enriched teaching and learning in 2009, or a group of individuals who have contributed to a significant technology-enriched project, please complete the online nomination form by January 26, 2010. Self-nominations are also welcome.

9. CITIZEN SCHOLAR AWARD
Have you spent at least 16 hours this semester using your research to benefit the community?  If so, why not submit an application for the VT Citizen Scholar Award?  For more information visit the CSE website  or contact Eric Hodges .

10. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS 2010
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Consider applying or discuss the possibility of your nomination by your advisor/department for any of the following awards that will be given out during our annual awards banquet on March 25, 2010:
– Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (2) in social sciences and humanities
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Man and Woman of the Year
– Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college
Review additional information on the specifics and requirements for each award. Nomination/Application deadline is February 5, 2010.

11. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS IN RESIDENCE LIFE, 2010-11
The Office of Residence Life is seeking graduate assistants for next academic year.  Anticipated openings include Graduate Hall Directors, Oak Lane House Advisor, a First Year Programs Assistant, an Imaginarium Manager Assistant, a Theme Housing Assistant, and a Student Leadership Advisor. Read the descriptions of these positions and attend an information session regarding the positions and the selection process on Wednesday, Dec 9 at 6:30pm in GLC Room C. Interviews will be held from Feb 27 through Mar 2, 2010. Applications are currently being accepted via the website.  Priority will be given to application received by Mar 1, 2010.

12. VIRTUAL FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS FAIR
Fellowship and scholarship information is grouped by disciplines as represented by each college, and organized by the title headings: sponsoring organization, name of award, type of award, eligibility, amount, and application deadline. There is also an “All” link to a complete listing of all fellowships regardless of discipline. Review this listing of fellowships, scholarships and awards available to graduate students from organizations located all over the United States. Fellowships are available for U.S. citizen students and international students, and range from $500 to over $30,000.

13. ORDER YOUR GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT DVD NOW

The University Bookstore will be selling Graduate School Commencement DVDs. Order your copy online now. Please contact the University Bookstore if you have any questions or problems with ordering.